Announcement time

After six months, sixty thousand frequent flyer miles, three trips to the UK, two to Paris, and one each to Slovakia, Switzerland, Guam and Kentucky (yes, exotic Kentucky), I'm saying goodbye to Kodiak Networks. I've accepted a position at Samsung Telecommunications America, starting on November 22.

It was a tough call, actually. I've always wanted to be involved in a successful startup company. And, by all measures, Kodiak has been successful and has a bright future ahead of it. They're an excellent candidate for acquisition sometime in the next couple of years, and some of the employees are going to see a nice chunk of change.

But my job there just didn't thrill me. I'm a designer at heart. I like to build things - take new ideas, craft them into something tangible, and then sit back and watch them work. I couldn't do that at Kodiak. Plus, the travel was pretty grueling. I just couldn't see keeping that up for the four or five years it'd take to reach payoff.

So I'll give Samsung a try. I'll be doing design work again, working with some exciting new technology. Wish me luck!

Burkett ... Stephen Burkett

So I had to renew my driver license on my most recent birthday. Naturally, I procrastinated until the last minute. And then, naturally, I totally forgot about it until three weeks it had passed.

But no problem. I just went onto the DPS website and, click-click-click, ordered me up a new driver license. Another example of how the internet makes my life simpler and more efficient. At least that's what I thought until the confirmation page told me I should receive my new license within 45 days.

The point to this whole story is that I've been kinda anxious lately, driving around with an expired license (shhh, don't tell anyone). I mean, I printed out the little confirmation page and stuck that in my wallet, but who knows if it'd get me out of trouble with "the man."

So it was with a sigh of relief when I pulled an envelope from the State of Texas, Department of Public Safety out of my mailbox last night. I tore that baby open, intent to rectify my perpetual misdimeanor, and found myself staring right into the face of one Stephen Kent Burkett.

The DPS sent me the wrong license.

ps.

Does anyone else think "driver license" sounds funny? That's how the DPS says it. I prefer "driver's license" myself. Though I guess if you wanted to be grammatically correct, it would actually be a "driving license."

Arc De Triomphe

Been meaning to post some more Paris photos ... here's some.

The Eiffel Tower may be the most famous icon in Paris, but the Arc De Triomphe has always been my favorite outdoor monument. The size and scope of it overwhelm me, as does the intricacy of the design work and sculptures on its face.

Arc De Triomphe...

	View from Avenue du Friedland
	Looking up at the center of the Arch
	François Rude's The Departure of the Volunteers of 1792 (aka La Marseillaise). One of the bas-relief sculptures that adorn the face of the arch.
	One crazy couple decides to tempt fate by crossing the round-about that circles the Arch and is fed by several large avenues, most notably the Champs Élysées. That's about six lanes of the busiest traffic in the world (which is why they helpfully installed underground walkways to and from monument). I'm thinking it was some kind of lover's suicide pact.

Kentucky Fried Blog Post

Okay ... so I've been here in Bowling Green, KY for the week. Absolutely nothing of interest has happened to me (besides that whole work thing). I had to extend my trip through the weekend to finish up some stuff. (I don't think I've taken a trip yet that hasn't been extended. This has become something of a running joke between me and my pet sitter (hi Laurie!)). At any rate, there's apparently a marching band competition going on this weekend. Maybe I'll check it out once I finish up with work today.

I'm tired of restaurant food. Well, let me be more clear. I'm tired of steak places and bbq joints. Yes, I never thought that could happen, but that's all they seem to have around here. I went on a quest last night for a good italian place. My standards were low. I just wanted something that didn't involve ordering at a counter. No dice. I wound up at the Spitfire Grill, mainly because it reminded me of a movie by the same name.

Speaking of movies, I almost didn't make it out to dinner last night. I'd gotten involved watching The Professional (#63 on IMDB's Top 250 list), starring Jean Reno, Gary Oldman, and an adorably young Natalie Portman (pre star wars fame). It's been on my watch list for some time, but I've never managed to see it.

I was enjoying it immensely, though the edited-for-tv cuts were pretty rough. Luc Besson's stylized direction. Jean Reno was devastatingly understated. Gary Oldman was wonderfully over-the-top. And Natalie Portman was just remarkable. The sequence where she pleads for sanctuary outside Reno's door was unforgettable.

Nevertheless, hunger drove me away from the last half. Gonna have to catch it again sometime.

Anyway ... that's all the news that's fit to print here from Kentucky.

Home sweet home

I arrived home yesterday without any major issues. It's always good to be back, even though I'm still coping with jet lag, and have to tackle the piles of dirty laundry and unopened mail.

Here are a couple of photos. I'll try to post a few others later on. If you're interested, you can see all photos at my yahoo photo site. Click on the folder titled "Paris Sept 2004" and view in slideshow mode to view any comments.

Gary and Cedric in Paris ...